"It’s time to lighten your rucksack, friend."

Helping vets is soldier’s mission
Daily News Miner
Keith Kurber II
2 hrs ago

"It’s time to lighten your rucksack, friend. It’s time to get found."  

Keith Kurber II

FAIRBANKS — As a career soldier, everything I did for the military was based on a mission statement. It didn’t matter whether it were a peacetime training exercise or a wartime operation, the mission gave us the “who, what, where, when and why” of our task. In Luke’s gospel, Jesus Christ provided his mission statement and it reads like this: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10, New American Standard Bible). Because I am a follower of Jesus, his mission becomes mine. Wherever I go, I am to seek out and save the lost.

The seeking part of the mission seems fairly straightforward; it means I am out and about, looking for those who need to be saved. The idea of saving is also an uncomplicated notion, as long as I don’t forget that what saves somebody is pointing them to Jesus. Personally, I can’t save anyone, but I can tell them all about Jesus, who can. I can tell people that he is the answer to their deepest needs, especially their aching fear of the unknown, their chronic lack of peace and their confusion. Who wouldn’t want that?

But sometimes lost people don’t want to be found. As a young man, I regularly resisted the advice of well-meaning Christians trying to “save” me by pointing me to Jesus. And being lost isn’t a great feeling either. No matter what you call it, being lost, confused, unsure, unclear, perplexed, disoriented or bewildered, it’s largely an unpleasant experience. When you understand that the original meaning of “being lost” also encompasses being destroyed, rendered useless or killed, it takes on a very weighty sense. The bottom line is this: Being lost is not a good place to be, especially eternally so.
read more here

Keith Kurber II is the senior pastor of Harvest, a church that he and his wife, Nola, also an ordained minister, founded in September 2010. They look forward to many years serving Fairbanks and the Tanana Valley together through Harvest. Keith retired after serving 30 years of Army active duty, reserve and National Guard service as a colonel of special forces. He is also a Drop Zone graduate, having attended in March of 2018. Insight is sponsored by the Tanana Valley Christian Conference.

Horror of war and the battles we should be winning

These homefront battles should be won and done
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
January 15, 2018

A little while ago I came across this headline.

Horror of war heroes 'tearing families apart' as impact on loved ones goes unrecognised

While an understanding of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has grown in recent years, the secondary trauma is ripping families apart.

Their loved ones came back from the horrors of war as heroes in need of support.But it’s not just service personnel who can suffer in the aftermath of conflicts – it can devastate the lives of their partners and families, too. 

It is from Scottish News on The Daily Record. It looks like they, as well as the rest of the NATO nations have a lot of catching up to do, including the USA.

How is it that when Vietnam veterans came home over 40 years ago and forced this nation to pay attention to what combat did to them, most of what was known has been forgotten?

"Every generation

Blames the one before

And all of their frustrations

Come beating on your door"

In The Living Years

How have we allowed anyone to believe any of this is new? How have we managed to screw it up so badly that OEF and OIF families are believed to be the only ones having to face any of this?

"So we open up a quarrel

Between the present and the past

We only sacrifice the future

It's the bitterness that lasts"

In The Living Years

Stunning for anyone involved in this work all this time because, to tell the truth, I find it all unacceptable and inexcusable.

I got into all of this in 1982, but there is a group, who has my heart and I belong to, doing this work for veterans and their families going back to 1984.

We figured out that healing happens with the triple play of mind, body and spirit, as well as the fact that families were on the front line of this battle they brought home to us.

It is our fight and a lot of us won many battles but have still not won the war only because too many are oblivious to the simple fact they could learn how to defeat PTSD.

Point Man International Ministries knew this way back then. 

Outposts are lead by Christian Vets who care deeply about veterans and their struggles. They fully understand the difficulties associated with returning home after a long and difficult deployment as well as the non-combat experiences. Outposts are places for veterans to talk, share and listen to others who have walked in their shoes. All Vets are welcome regardless of what country they served with and gender is irrelevant as both men and women have served and sacrificed for their respective countries.

And the original Homefront

Homefront groups are lead by Christian mothers, wives and friends of both active duty military and veterans. They provide an understanding ear and caring heart that only those left behind at home can understand. They have experienced the stress of dealing with deployments and the effects of a loved one returning home from war. If you have someone you love deployed or having issues readjusting since coming home get connected with a local group or contact HQ for assistance.

So why hasn't everyone else? Is it because they do not have the ability to discover this or is it because they have more than we ever did to find what they are looking for, but settle for what is easy to find?

"So don't yield to the fortunes

You sometimes see as fate

It may have a new perspective

On a different day

And if you don't give up, and don't give in

You may just be okay"

In The Living Years

People keep saying they are looking for answers. Too many claim they want to reduce suicides. Many more claim to care. When it has all gotten worse, the answer to make it better has been there all along but when I talk to people about becoming leaders, they walk away.

They are not happy with the fact that this is usually supported financially by the leader of the group, simply because we're more about doing the work instead of getting money.

These groups are small groups, and often, one on one, with privacy instead of publicity. One of the reasons I find it impossible to support any of the "awareness raisers" out there, publicizing the heartache and obliterating any chance of someone finding hope again and giving them the power to change the ending.

I keep wondering where all the good Christians are in the Veterans Community and what they are doing when they could be doing this work for the sake of their brothers and families.

I have seen what is unimaginable suffering but also limitless healing to the point where it is actually proof of miracles still happening everyday. To see all these families needlessly suffering, is like a dagger to my soul. I always wonder how an average person like me managed to learn at the library when these families have not even searched for online in the palm of their hand and the cell phone they are never without.

So what exactly do you think you can add to their living years? Want to change the outcome? Then you better start by changing what you put into it!

Kathie Costos DiCesare
Published on Mar 29, 2015

Vietnam veterans said they would never leave one generation behind. They fought for each other and for all generations but have been forgotten. Reporters just don't have time for them or reminding anyone that they waited longer, suffered longer, are the majority of the suicides, attempted suicides and those waiting for claims to be honored by the VA.

Had it not been for them, nothing would have been done on PTSD.

When you watch this video, you'll see that they deserve just as much attention as the newer veterans. The problem is, none of our veterans get enough of anything!

Iraq Veteran Chaplain Betrayed by Catholic Church Because of PTSD?

Iraq Veteran Betrayed by Church Over PTSD?
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 29, 2017

Most of my life has been dedicated to veterans and PTSD. For over 3 decades, every true expert on PTSD has said that spiritual healing is vital, especially when the person afflicted by it, came with their job.

It takes a very special person with a strong emotional core to not just do their jobs, but even think they should do them in the first place.

They are pulled to do them. Knowing all the hardships, as well as the risks, did not stop them from putting their lives on the line for someone else.

That is how much life mattered to them. Rev. Robert Repenning knows what that is like. He also served as an Army Chaplain in Iraq. He spoke about God's love and he showed the compassion of Christ as well as what courage is like on behalf of the Church. Too bad the Catholic Church did not notice faith was spread by people just like him when Jesus sent out the 12 others.

"As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." Matthew 10:7-8

At least that is the way I thought it was supposed to be. How can the church, or any house of worship claim they care when they refuse to send someone who not only understands what our veterans are going through, but lives with it, walks the walk and still has the same connection to God?

Why is it they were so ready to turn their backs on this veteran when so many others should be welcomed into the healing power of God's love?

I am with Point Man International Ministries because they believe as I do. They go out and minister to those in need of healing, just as Christ said it should be done.

To think that this message has been sent out to all those who put their lives on the line for the sake of others, proving the greatest level of love their is, a betrayal of the mission they took an oath to fulfill.

The topper in all of this is, he is fighting to stay in the church and continue to minister to Catholics instead of walking away to go to another denomination that will not just welcome him, but value the help and hope he can offer so many veterans. 

Unassigned priest with PTSD finds 'peace amidst the storms'
Poughkeepsie Journal
Nina Schultzman
December 29, 2017

"The faith talks about mercy. The faith talks about compassion. The faith talks abut the sanctity of every human person. What is the Archdiocese saying by treating someone with a disability this way? They are not living up to the gospels." Rev. Robert Repenning

Meanwhile, "if I defend myself, they say I'm attacking the archdiocese," Repenning added.

For the past 18 months, the Rev. Robert Repenning has had no church to call home, no parish to serve.

"In a spiritual sense, it's devastating not to have an assignment," said Repenning, a longtime local Roman Catholic priest and former Army chaplain, who served in the Iraq War. "I want to be in a parish."

Repenning, 45, says the archdiocese has discriminated against him as a disabled veteran because of the alleged severity of his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

His contract at Holy Trinity in Poughkeepsie, which he led for a six-year term that ended on July 1, 2016, was not renewed.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan has told Repenning that he has a "grave lack of any self-awareness... that you may have deep problems," according to correspondence Repenning shared with the Journal.

It's a “moral obligation, and a fraternal desire” of Dolan's to ensure Repenning is healthy, and “to do this, we need a professional assessment best done in a residential setting," the cardinal wrote in a 2016 letter to Repenning.

Repenning has said he did not agree to seek treatment at an archdiocese-approved facility and that he's already been receiving medical care at the Castle Point branch of the Veterans Affairs Hudson Valley Health Care System.

Since his leave began, Repenning said he's had psychological and physical tests completed, and his doctors have no concerns.
read more here

"Yet we considered him punished by God"

Tonight Your Soul Can Feel Its Worth
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 24, 2017

The road ahead is in your control. Which way do you want to go?

Christmas Eve is a night to celebrate the birth of a miracle. It is about, as the song goes, "the soul felt its worth."


The thing, among oh so many others, we miss is that the birth of Jesus was a gift of love from God. He came to set things right in the world. Too many things had gotten twisted and some manipulated the message Jesus had come to deliver for their own gain.

Seems that is the way of the world but not the way of love. Love is what makes some think of others before they think of themselves. Love is what drives some to be willing to die for the sake of someone else. 

Jesus knew He would die when His time came and it was something He was willing to do. His birth, life and death were prophesized 700 years before it all happened.

4 

Surely he took up our pain

    and bore our suffering,

yet we considered him punished by God,

    stricken by him, and afflicted.

5 

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

    he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

    and by his wounds we are healed.

6 

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

    each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

    the iniquity of us all.

Some have looked at this "story" and say that Jesus failed but since what He came to do, was accomplished, the way it was supposed to happen, He won and defeated death.

I suppose it is just too hard for some people to understand that level of unselfish love, but there are others who know exactly what it feels like to be that way.

Christ was born knowing He'd suffer to teach us how to love others, as much as He came to help us understand we were loved. 

There are many among us suffering because they loved so much their own life was an afterthought. When they needed to spend time healing their own inner-wound, they thought about how others had suffered.

It is still hard to believe that no one told them they are a survivor because they fought for their life as much as they fought for others. The longer they lived, the more they could help others live.

So where is that attitude now? Where is the mindset that tells them they beat death already? Someone along the way must have told them that PTSD is something to be ashamed of. Like some kind of failure instead of what they succeeded at doing.

The secret is, they succeeded at defeating death as well as retaining love. After over 35 years, there has not been one single veteran who said he did not want to help other veterans heal. Think about that for a second.

They are eventually unashamed of themselves, yet instead of just thinking of living their own lives better, they want to make sure they pass saving grace on to them.

Tonight can be the night when your soul feels its worth. That same soul, who fought so hard to live before, is still needed to fight for others now.

Suffering for the sake of love does not mean failure. It meant that love won. Fight to take your life back from PTSD as hard as you fought its birth~

Amy Grant and Vince Gill Share Healing PTSD With Music

How these veterans are using music to win the fight against PTSD
The Tennessean
USA Today
Jake Lowary
November 16, 2017

Music therapy isn't really a secret, but it's one of a litany of new treatment programs like meditation breathing, medical marijuana and cannabinoid oil, that are attracting attention and support that just a few years ago would have been cast aside.

Deep in the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee, on land owned by two of country and gospel music’s most-acclaimed stars, is one of the most recent examples of how American veterans are taking control of their battle against their own demons.

Michael Smith, Danny Williams and Howard Spier are among the dozen gathered here on an unusually hot, early October day. Each are veterans who have fought for their country, but are now using music to overcome the stress they brought home from war.

With them on Amy Grant and Vince Gill’s secluded farm in Williamson County are songwriters associated with some of the biggest country hits, like Bob Regan, who are helping the veterans write the latest versions of country songs to help them cope and move beyond their struggles.

They stayed here for a few days, fully immersing themselves in the experience organized by Challenge America, which supports extending arts programs to under-served communities.

Veterans, still conflicted, see a bright future
read more here

Needing Help for Combat PTSD But Won't Seek It?

Waiting For Help Without Asking?
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
October 29, 2017

There is a huge difference between needing help and asking for it. My Mom was a great example of that. She was a proud woman, used to taking care of herself until she reached her 70's. 

After that, the usual argument was about what she needed her "kids" to do but we didn't guess she needed it. Yes, that twisted up. She figured since we knew her all our lives, we should just know what she needed and she shouldn't have to ask for it.

When we know someone needs help, it is never easy to guess what it is they need and even harder to figure out what they want from others.

Pride often gets in the way but then there is something else trapping people from help. They see others getting help while no one is helping them. The question is, if they do not ask for help they need, how can they receive it?

Pool of Bethesda

Jesus Heals a Man at a Pool (John 5)
5 Later Jesus went to Jerusalem for a special feast. 

2 In Jerusalem there is a pool with five covered porches, which is called Bethesda in the Hebrew language. This pool is near the Sheep Gate.  

3 Many sick people were lying on the porches beside the pool. Some were blind, some were crippled, and some were paralyzed, and they waited for the water to move.  

4 Sometimes an angel of the Lord came down to the pool and stirred up the water. After the angel did this, the first person to go into the pool was healed from any sickness he had. 

5 A man was lying there who had been sick for thirty-eight years.  

6 When Jesus saw the man and knew that he had been sick for such a long time, Jesus asked him, “Do you want to be well?” 

7 The sick man answered, “Sir, there is no one to help me get into the pool when the water starts moving. While I am coming to the water, someone else always gets in before me.” 

8 Then Jesus said, “Stand up. Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was well; he picked up his mat and began to walk.

That story always gets to me. The first question I have is how the man got there in the first place? Someone must have brought him there. Why didn't they stay to make sure he got into the pool? After all, the first part of the help getting there was only part of what he needed. What about the other part?

Then I wonder if he ever asked anyone else to help him? Did he try to do it on his own? Did he watch as the others got help to get into the healing waters and simply sit there with the soul crushing feeling of not mattering as much as others?

It is also a great example of it never being too late to get help to heal!

Most of the phone calls and email requests for help, are from family members asking for help for their veteran. They want me to contact the veteran. I tried that many years ago and it failed. When they are not ready to ask for help, they are not ready to receive it. Sometimes it is pride. Sometimes it is because they do not think they deserve it. Most of the time it is because they do not understand what is going on inside of them.

If they think the wrong thing about PTSD, like it has more to do with being weak than the strength of their emotional core, they won't ask for help.

At that point, I'll do what I can for the family to understand it and give them enough knowledge to minimize turmoil in the home. Every now and then, the veteran ends up calling because he/she no longer feels it is their fault.

Too many veterans have no one to help them get to the healing they need because others get in the way. They tell them things that are simply not true. Then there is a lot of judgment going on much like what Jesus healed the man at the pool on the Sabbath. 

He got into trouble for doing it on that day when no one was supposed to work. I'd love to hear the explanation from the people working at the temple how it was ok for them but no one else. Still seems to me that Jesus was in fact doing more than they were with something that was actually on behalf of God and not raising funds for their pockets.

41 “I don’t need praise from people.  

42 But I know you—I know that you don’t have God’s love in you.  

43 I have come from my Father and speak for him, but you don’t accept me. But when another person comes, speaking only for himself, you will accept him.  

44 You try to get praise from each other, but you do not try to get the praise that comes from the only God.

If you need help, ask for it. If you do not get what you need, then ask someone else. Sooner or later you'll find the help that has been there all along just waiting for you to seek it.

Point Man International Ministries 
Hotline: 1-800-877-VETS (8387)

Defeating PTSD Demons by Faith

Do You Still Battle Against Demons Unarmed?
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
October 24, 2017

You may have been deluded up to this point and think the number of veterans committing suicide are just OEF and OIF veterans. You may have been convinced that only they suffer PTSD because of the stupid commercial talking about veterans being forgotten right after listing what PTSD had been called UP TO THE 70'S but they leave that part out too.

God still knows they are there even if you close your eyes.

If you want to help veterans stay alive, you better come prepared to fight for them. Considering what true demon defeaters are facing, we need all the help we can get.

You need to know what we're actually dealing with beginning with the enemy within them.

The rates of veterans batteling PTSD are: 15% currently diagnosed from Vietnam with 30% had PTSD in their lifetime. Gulf War veterans, 12%. OEF and OIF veterans between 11% and 20%. 

According the Department of Veterans Affairs, there were 16,962,000 combat veterans living after older wars as of April 2017 out of 23,244,583. 4,444,533 Veterans receiving service connected disability benefits with the majority of these veterans from prior to Afghanistan and Iraq. 

Also according to the VA, the majority of the veterans committing suicide are also from those previous wars, 65% are over the age of 50.

While so many want to run around the country pulling stunts, we're lifting them up. When they are talking about numbers, we're rescuing souls. When they are dismissing importance of the spiritual connection, we're standing by their side.

If you think there are not that many veterans with a religious affiliation, you have been deluded by people who do not know what they are talking about.

A fabulous report, yet again, from the VA, is a list of veterans believing in God and breaks it down by faith groups and states. About 19 million claim to be affiliated, while 1,198,391 are listed as "unknown."  

The three largest veteran populations listed under faith are California with 1,711,106, Texas with 1,592,385 and Florida with 1,472,665.

If you still want to dismiss spiritual healing as a way to prevent suicides, then please find something else to do with your time. "The harvest is plenty, but workers are few" and users outnumber the rest of us.

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."

In the 70's Vietnam veterans began the battle for the healing PTSD and it was known back then that is has to be done with by treating the three parts of the veteran. Mind-body and spirit. Too many want to dismiss the spiritual because they do not understand it, and fear it.

Last time the Constitution was read it still had the words that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

If you are really trying to help them, then first understand, they are not suffering because of God. They are suffering because of the Demon telling them what they did wrong so they forget WHY THEY WERE WILLING TO DIE IN THE FIRST PLACE and that was to save lives.

Point Man on Mission to Restore Hope

I just got back from the Point Man International Ministries conference in Buffalo New York. I came back restored and, honestly blown away by what the others are doing. 

To think our group has been working on combat PTSD with veterans, as well a families, since 1984, it shows that works outweigh stunts everyday.

Dana Morgan, the President of Point Man, and his wife Susan, put together a meeting I will never forget.


Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park

When you live fearlessly, big stuff doesn't intimidate, but I did have to have one of the guys help me get out of that chair! It was easier getting into it.



Play time at Vitter's

Some of our Point Man Family
Dana Morgan-New York, Marcus King-Oklahoma, Paul Sluznis-Washington, Tim Pollock-Ohio and Jay McGee-Colorado

Bunny and Mike Burch, passing on the Wall ministry to Tim Pollock

Image Bunny took at The Wall

The Homefront Circle

Rosemary Williams presents Diana Henderson-Army Veteran, with "Forgiven" dog tag

This is the message most of the veterans say is the most powerful. It isn't just knowing they are forgiven by God, but finding peace when they are able to forgive themselves, for whatever they believe they need to be forgiven for.

Jay McGee talking about homeless veterans and Crawford House

I was thinking about how much we have been doing for veterans because of our beliefs that we are in fact our brother's keepers as well as being sent where we are for a reason. All too often, when I'm questioning how we can get past all the talk online about folks claiming to be doing nothing, but getting noticed, when we're actually working and doing, but not talking talking about it. At least folks are not hearing us when we do. Then something always seems to happen to remind me that no matte what, God always let's me know what really matters.

I was looking at the clouds on the flight home. Do you see what I see?

From a distance, it seems to be standing on the clouds instead of being a part of it.

With a closer look, a form could be seen clearer.

It looks like the cloud is walking and you can see in the shadow, the image that looks like a man.

Videos will be up tomorrow of the next day.

More Videos

WBEN 930 AM
David (born November 10, 1975) is an American Iraq War veteran who was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the Second Battle of Fallujah. Bellavia has also received the Bronze Star, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. He has also been nominated for the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross. In 2005, Bellavia was inducted into the New York Veterans' Hall of Fame.[1] He has subsequently been involved with politics in Western New York State. Bellavia was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He attended Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, New Hampshire and the University at Buffalo.

In this video David said that Vietnam veterans are the greatest generation and I happen to agree!

David began with telling us about Police diver Craig E. Lehner on Saturday night. Sadly, Officer Lehner's body was recovered a few days later.